Hello All.. Want to replace the Hilotrons on my 1966 Tennessean with some Filitertrons but have discovered that it would require a rerouting of the guitar to accommodate the FTs.. it seems. Does anyone know if there are perhaps Filtertrons made that are direct replacements for Hilottrons? Thanks much!
Replacing Hilotrons with Filtertrons in a 1966 Tennessean
- Thread starter Adraj
- Start date
Chmason85
Country Gent
I thought these were the same size?
The preceding post is correct. Vintage HiLos with Filters are not interchangeable. Don’t do it.
First time I've heard of this in 13 years of GT lol!
I would probably have suggested to get a modern HT set and have them rewound to your desired spec(set the vintage set aside, it’s money in the bank), but that seems a moot point now.
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It’s your guitar to do with as you please, but I agree with drmilktruck - don’t do it. It took me years to appreciate the Hilo’s in my Tennessean. They just fill a spot like others don’t.
OK I casually googled a bit but can’t seem to find a direct reference. Why can a vintage Hilo not be replaced by a modern Filtertron??
The routing is only under the pole pieces, not the whole pickup like a Filtertron.
Ahh tnx!
Mellowcat
Gretschie
'66 Annie neck route.
S.R.Cash
Gretschie
I don't know man... those Hilo's can adapt well to a lot of situations. I have two extremes, early Rockabilly and Western swing, and sometimes Post Punk New Wave. I can coax those pickups into exactly what I need in both worlds.
GDP Refugee AndyJ
Electromatic
Maybe try a set of TV Jones HiLo's? They have a but more output. I have them in my VS Tenny and sound great . . .they do HiLo cleans as they should and take dirt like nobody's bid'ness.
That's quite a substantial hole already.
I'd have no qualms routing the '66 for a Filtertron and add some bracing under the top for piece of mind. Who's gonna know?
Right.. was thinking that might be possible. Thanks much.
Curtin Novak or Lindy Fralin might do it.
I think that might prove problematic...
A filtertron is always gonna have more height on account of it's construction. Where the Hilo has the magnet on the side of the bobbin, a Filtertron is 2 bobbins with a bulky bar magnet underneath, even when you change out the magnet with a flat bar (like in a modern Blacktop) it's gonna end up too high.
Berington
Gretschie
Absolutely true!
Ric12String
Synchromatic
Before you do anything to your guitar, why don't you give TV Jones a call and talk to him about what you are hearing in your head that is missing from the guitar with the vintage Hi-Lo pickups. He is pretty good about interpreting the remarks of players about what they are searching for and he can make recommendations to you after having worked on countless Gretsch guitars over the years. And he won't be fixated on keeping the Hi-Los (even though that is also my predisposition) as he probably can tell you if he has a Filter'Tron that will fit into the smaller route under the Hi-Los. TV is a wonderful guy who is really easy to talk to. Be sure to have your questions lined out in advance, however, as he is a really busy guy.
